Life-saving boost after community campaign leads to new defibrillator

The life-saving equipment at the retained Headland station in Hartlepool follows a campaign and funding from local businesses.

It is the first public defibrillator to be fitted outside a Cleveland fire station and free training for residents is being held this weekend.

The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is accessed by a 999 emergency call to the ambulance service to ensure help is on the way and the caller is given a code to unlock the device.

It is easy to use but training is recommended and a session with qualified first aiders is being held at the station on Sunday, October 15, in one hour slots from 10am to 3pm. Across the country there are about 60,000 cardiac arrests a year and 85% happen at home where there is no emergency equipment. Having an AED nearby and accessible can raise the chances of individual survival to more than 70%.

The community campaign was launched by the Fisherman’s Arms on Southgate, with further funding coming from ITC First and the Hereema Fabrication Group’s Employee Charity Fund.

Mark Moore, from ITC, said: “We are extremely proud to be part of this great cause. Part of our business is the development and delivery of first aid qualifications, so this project was naturally close to our hearts. We are indebted to everyone involved and also to Cleveland Fire Brigade for agreeing it to be located and accessible at the Headland Fire Station.

“We urge the local community to come along to the free training session. Familiarisation with the device saves time and saving time helps saves lives.”

Phil Lancaster, the Brigade’s director of community protection, said: “This is an outstanding example of everyone working together to support the local community and we are very pleased to be involved by making this vital equipment accessible.”

To book a place, go to http://bit.ly/2xBAzyB or the Community Defib and CPR Training Hartlepool Facebook page.